Learn about the inner workings of a heritage railway!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a steam train, operate a signal box or how a locomotive works? Wonder no more, as the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is set to reveal what goes on behind the scenes.

During the first Bank Holiday weekend of May (4, 5 & 6 May) NYMR will once again open its doors and invite the public to learn about the inner workings of a heritage railway, as well as quirky demonstrations and a sneak peek behind usually closed doors!

At Pickering station visitors will be able to see what goes on inside the Carriage and Wagon workshop, headed up by Manager Kieran who is currently starring in series two of ‘The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard’. The Archive and Education departments will also be producing an exhibition showcasing ‘50 Years of Steam at the NYMR’. Short Brake Van rides* utilising our class 08 shunters, will take you along the railway line to New Bridge and back.

Visitors to Levisham station will be treated to signal box tours and at Goathland station there will be talks on it’s history including information about the Pelton Wheel. Hull & Barnsley Stock Fund will open up their carriages to show how they are progressing on the restoration work and find out about the vital repair work needed to bridges located on the approach to the station.

At Grosmont, the operating hub of the railway, there will be the chance to walk through the repair shop and running shed to get a first-hand insight into the work being carried out on our locomotives. Enjoy some raw power as we show you fascinating demonstrations** of our 45 Ton capacity 1920s steam powered crane.

During the event visitors can also see the much loved Q6 locomotive 63395, which has recently taken a trip down memory lane and received a makeover which has restored it to its original look – dating back over 100 years! Originally, the Q6 was an unglamorous freight workhorse that plied the tracks of the north east of England for 50 years. Remarkably, along with the class J27s, it was one of the very few pre-grouping steam locomotives to survive right up to the end of steam on British Railways.

Paul Middleton, Head of Traction and Rolling Stock at the NYMR and star of ‘The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard’, said: “The railway welcomes over 350,000 visitors each year so to have an event that allows members of the public the chance to see what goes on behind the scenes, and all the hard work our volunteers put in on a daily basis, is fantastic.

“We look forward to seeing lots of families at the railway for a fun bank holiday weekend and we’re sure they’ll no doubt learn a thing or two as well!”

Interested in volunteering at the railway? A volunteer ambassador will be at each station over the event to discuss what volunteering involves and how you can join the team!

Travel along the heritage line (Pickering to Grosmont Return - hop on, hop off all day) Adult £27.00, Child £13.50 and Family (2x Adults & 3x Children) £57.00. Multi-Day Tickets (1 day, 2 day and 3 day ticket options available). Carer Tickets are available with a full paying fare. Proof of ID required at Booking Office.

We will be running the Bronze Timetable on Saturday & Monday and the Silver Timetable on Sunday. View Timetables.

To celebrate its 100th year of running, the much-loved Q6 class locomotive No.63395 has taken a trip down memory lane and received a makeover which has restored it to its original livery – dating back to 1918.

To celebrate its 100th year of running, the much-loved Q6 class locomotive No.63395 has taken a trip down memory lane and received a makeover which has restored it to its original livery – dating back to 1918.

National Holidays are the UK’s leading coach holiday operator and cater for hundreds of groups every year, so why not book a great break away and enjoy the railway's 60s Fest, Autumn Steam Gala or Railway in Wartime event.

We’re disappointed to report that our guest engine, 60009 Union of South Africa is out of service and in need of new piston rings and valve rings and can no longer run the railway's 2019 opening event.

In the early hours of Sunday 23rd July 2017, North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s (NYMR’s) historic teak carriages were deliberately vandalised. The carriages were parked in the siding, at the far side of the main visitor car park at Pickering.